Same as the Abarth 500 I believe.....
General Your impressions of the 124
- Thread starter SB1500
- Start date
Currently reading:
General Your impressions of the 124
Same as the Abarth 500 I believe.....
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2014
- Messages
- 4,579
- Points
- 828
That's what I wondered. 
spiderwolfe
New member
I've owned my Spider for 1500 miles. I love the car except for the auto transmission software which is very janky. I hope someone from Fiat/Chrysler follows this forum and sets in motion some updates. My dealer is to get an automatic Abarth version in this week or next. I hope when I test drive it with the paddle shifters it operates properly. As I've said before, I can't select shift into 5th gear until 50 mph and 6th until 60 mph. There is no indication when this happens(or doesn't) like a flashing light or indicator. You just can't do it. On a good note, yesterday a Miata owner stopped me in a drugstore parking lot to tell me how much better my car looked than his.
Loved it. Really loved it
Just to add to this, my wife has a GT86.
That's more focused as you'd probably expect. More of an Abarth comparison,
The shove from the 124 makes it feel quite initially but it's fun to drive & remarkably solid & pretty shake free.
I thought I'd hate the turbo engine but it was surprisingly good.
Had the 124 been available when she got rid of the Alfa, I think she would have had it.
The 86 is brilliant though. Don't believe the slow / Prius tyres BS either!
Done it! Lusso Plus in bronze with tan interior. Approximate arrival in UK at end of January ?
Congrats triumph7! you'll love it. My wife has just passed 5000 miles in her (USA) Prima Edizione number 93. I would have waited for the Abarth but she needed something now and we both love the electric blue metallic of the Prima. I just passed 141,000 miles on my 500 Prima number 376 . We are a double Prima Edizione family! Major work done so far on the 500 is tires (several times, I like them soft, and I'm pretty rough on them) and both rear wheel bearings ($50 USD each, maybe 20 minutes to swap out). I just found out last night the left side lower ball joint is hosed. Just ordered a new lower control arm with the ball joint for $60 USD. Looks like maybe 2 hour job to swap. 141,000 miles and that is all the work I've done to it. Pretty amazing reliability for a car that is supposed to be unreliable.
Of course the jury is still out on the new 124, but if the 500 is any measure, it will be fine. The action of the top is super easy bordering on genius. My wife traded a Volvo C70 convertible for the 124. I think it's electric top was more trouble to work than the manual top on the 124.
And all you guys that prefer the MX-5, that's OK, we'll wait for you at the finish line!
Of course the jury is still out on the new 124, but if the 500 is any measure, it will be fine. The action of the top is super easy bordering on genius. My wife traded a Volvo C70 convertible for the 124. I think it's electric top was more trouble to work than the manual top on the 124.
And all you guys that prefer the MX-5, that's OK, we'll wait for you at the finish line!
Last edited:
Not the end of the world & all that, but am I the only one who thinks the headlights look rather odd. No big deal, but I saw one close up recently, & yes the lights are odd looking!
gar074
Prominent member
It's that pale ring around the outside of the lens produced by the DRLs - for me, it makes the headlamps look like a husky's eyes ... scary!!
Last edited:
I love it, keep toying with the notion, but it would mean this would have to go.
After yesterday's trip out, I'm remaining strong in favour of the Alfa.....
After yesterday's trip out, I'm remaining strong in favour of the Alfa.....
Why not both?
:devil:sell the toyota:devil:
The Toyota is a better allrounder. It really is excellent.
My Seicento isn't going anywhere & the Panda will be here at least until February 2018 (unless they do the Abarth 500 X with 4WD).
gar074
Prominent member
Keep the Alfa. It's an automotive icon. The 124 Spider may be a fun drive, but it lacks the Alfa's design purity, and its heritage. It's not a game-changer. The Alfa was. And if that doesn't convince you, think Dustin Hoffman and Katharine Ross, and that iconic theme tune... Every time I see an Alfa Spider on the road, that theme instantly comes into my head. Unforgettable. Irreplaceable.
Last edited:
When the 86 goes, the Abarth version with the most subtle paint job could be the replacement.
I drove the 124 & our GT86 back to back.
The 86 is definitely more focused & fun and I prefer the non turbo engine (like the 2 litre MX5). It's obviously more practical too but the 124 was still epic.
It drives about 100 times better than my S4 Spider too.
I drove the 124 & our GT86 back to back.
The 86 is definitely more focused & fun and I prefer the non turbo engine (like the 2 litre MX5). It's obviously more practical too but the 124 was still epic.
It drives about 100 times better than my S4 Spider too.
I drove the BRZ and really think that boxer needs forced induction from Factory. There are Supercharger and Turbo kits outs there but really thought it lacked the 'James May Fizz'.
I love the rev happy nature. They need quite a few miles to loosen up!
Not a huge fan of FI in drivers cars but FIAT group seem pretty good at it in all fairness.
Not a huge fan of FI in drivers cars but FIAT group seem pretty good at it in all fairness.
To be fair to it the BRZ had like 4 miles on the clock and didnt feel too happy revving its nuts off. My 100hp is NA and do love how it goes.
To be fair to it the BRZ had like 4 miles on the clock and didnt feel too happy revving its nuts off. My 100hp is NA and do love how it goes.
They feel flat out of the box. Very different once they've done 1000 miles or so.
Love the 100hp
